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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-05 Daily Xml
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SUPPORTED RESIDENTIAL FACILITY SECTOR

Ms SIMMONS (Morialta) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Housing. Will the minister inform the house about new arrangements with the supported residential facility sector?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:16): The supported residential facility sector is largely a user pays business sector in South Australia, licensed and regulated by local government under the Supported Residential Facilities Act. Most of the people who live in these facilities have a range of health and disability issues which impact on their capacity—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Attorney!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —to sustain independent living. I understand that up to 60 per cent of residents have a mental illness and many have other chronic health conditions. Most facilities around South Australia are largely of a boarding house nature, with residents paying a large portion of their pension benefits in return for meals and a relatively low level of care.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Attorney-General!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: It is interesting to note that there are almost twice as many men as women resident in this sector and the age profile of residents has changed over time, with fewer younger and older people balanced by significant increases in people in their middle years. In 2003, the Rann government provided support to the sector for the first time, with a five year funding package in the wake of several closures at that time. The funding focused on responding to the crisis and, ultimately, the sustainment of the sector, and included the introduction of a board and care subsidy paid to proprietors on behalf of residents. A fire safety subsidy scheme was also introduced to enable the SRF sector to meet South Australian fire safety requirements.

Late last year, I met with the Supported Residential Facilities Association and they again raised their concerns about their sustainability. The government's focus has been on reforms which will make life better for the people living in these homes. On 8 December last year, the government approved extra funding of around $2.3 million per year for private operators in the SRF sector to address critical viability issues, provided the sector agrees to work on long-term reform. This has now been agreed and the payment (which effectively doubles the current subsidy) is now being paid.

The government recognises that there needs to be a longer term reform and investment plan for the SRF sector. The supplementary payment brings with it a commitment from the SRF Association and all proprietors to work with my department and the Department of Health on a longer term plan that will address service standards and the quality of accommodation and support for the people living in the SRF sector.

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